Olsen: Happy Fourth of July!

I thought it would be helpful to provide a list of events in the 25th Assembly District so that everyone can join in the celebration of our nation's independence:

4th of July Events:

·         Modesto 138th Annual Fourth of July Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. The parade moves from 10th and F streets to J Street, then up 11th Street and back to I Street to 17th Street.

·         Mammoth Lakes Fireworks Show at Crowley Lake. Hot Chicks Rotisserie will be serving tasty BBQ meals and beverages at 4:00 p.m., "Eastside Five" playing from 4:30 p.m.  - 8:30 p.m. and the Crowley Lake Fish Camp convenience store will be open until 7:00 p.m. The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

·         Coarsegold 4th of July Family Freedom Fest at the Coarsegold Historic Village. The main program will be from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., with patriotic music, color guard, speakers, and a children's performance.

·         Sonora 4th of July Celebration at Christian Heights Church Athletic Field. The Custom Car Show with cash prizes will be held 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Live Auction at 2:00 p.m., "Chains Required" 6:00 p.m. - 7 p.m. and the pork dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets $7.00, at the door $8.00.

·         Twain Harte 4th of July Celebration will be held in Downtown Twain Harte. Parade starts at 11:30 p.m. including children's activities, live music and food.

·         Mokelumne Hill Parade & Celebration begins at 7:00 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, 11:00 a.m. parade, including children's games after the parade, booths with carnival goods, bratwursts and BBQ'd pulled pork sandwiches.

·         San Andreas Fourth of July Concert at 7:00 p.m. The Calaveras Community Band will be performing at Turner Park.

·         Angels Camp July 4th Celebration in Downtown Angels Camp from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. An old-fashioned celebration with family games and competitions, music, food, home-made ice cream and more.

·         Madera 4th of July Spectacular at the Madera Municipal Golf Course beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a fireworks show at sundown.

·         Bass Lake Light up the Sky Annual Fireworks show will begin at 9:00 p.m.

It is a pleasure to be of service,

Kristin Olsen

25th Assembly District

Memorial Day Message from Rep. Jeff Denham

Dear Friend,

Every year, our country comes together on Memorial Day to remember the brave men and women of our armed services who lost their lives defending our country. This weekend, I ask you to join me in honoring and remembering these extraordinary individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They remind us that freedom is not free and that we owe our country’s safety and the liberties we enjoy today to their courage.

This Memorial Day we not only honor the sacrifices that have been made, but we are also reminded of the importance of our commitment to our fallen service members. Presidents Washington and Lincoln stated, “taking care of our service members who fought to defend our country should rank among the highest of national priorities.”

As your representative in Congress and a Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I’m committed to making sure we preserve the rights, protections and benefits that America's brave and heroic veterans deserve.

Our service men and women fight relentlessly to defend our country. They risk their lives every day to protect our freedoms, and we have an obligation to always honor, remember and respect the sacrifices they have made. We continue to pray for their safe return and pledge to keep our promise to them, and to all veterans, when they return.

This Memorial Day weekend, I encourage all Americans across the nation to find a way to remember our fallen service members and join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice they have made for our great country.

Sincerely,

Jeff Denham

Statement of CA Democratic Party African-American Caucus Chair on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

As we reflect on America's incredible advancements in democracy, civil rights and social justice, we must still acknowledge that we are a nation that struggles to sustain and uplift social values that benefit all Americans. We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by pushing on and continuing to work together, no matter how frustrating or slow the process may seem to be, and always with the belief that we can forge a better union. The words of Dr. King serve as both reminder and inspiration on this day: "Almost always the creative dedicated minority has made the world better."

Moderate Party: We're Turning the Corner in 2012

Dear Friend:

2011 was a hard year to watch in politics.  I would be just as pessimistic about 2012, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.  In many ways, all of the dysfunction that has led us to this point leaves us with no other choice than to fix the mess ourselves.

We didn't want to end the year, however, without saying goodbye.

So we made a video to memorialize where we've gone and to look toward where we're headed.

We're still at a point on this journey where few think what we're about to do is even possible.  But I know something they don't.  You'll be hearing more about what that is next month.

Click here to watch the 2012 Teaser Video.

And stay tuned because 2012 will be the year when we turn the corner...

Sincerely,

Ash Roughani

Founder, California Moderate Party

CRP Chairman Del Beccaro's Christmas Statement 2011

"Each year, Christmas brings together families and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The light the Christ Child brought into the world that glorious day continues to break through darkness more than two thousand years later.

 

"As we celebrate, let us all look to those less fortunate and affirm our humanity by showing grace to those in need. We should also show our continued appreciation to the men and women serving and sacrificing to protect our country and secure God's gift of freedom for others around the globe.

  

"On behalf of the California Republican Party, I offer best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a more prosperous New Year."

Every year a national forest is chosen to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and this year, the Stanislaus National Forest was selected.

The 65-foot, white fir tree arrived in Sacramento on November 9 from Sonora. I had the opportunity to participate in the Christmas Tree celebration as part of a seven-day tour of California, prior to its 20-day journey across the country to Washington, D.C.

The national tree ceremony will take place on December 6 at the U.S. Capitol. It will be decorated by 5,000 ornaments handmade by Californians. House Speaker John Boehner will light it along with a child from Sonora, seven-year old Johnny Crawford.

Source: Olsen on the Issues - November 2011

Happy Thanksgivi​ng from Rep. Denham

Dear Friend,

 

As we begin the holiday season this week, I want to take a moment to wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Political rhetoric and increasing uncertainty seem to be controlling the media coverage these days, but it’s important that we remember the freedoms we have and the potential of our great nation.  Although we have all been disappointed with the outcomes of the Super Committee, we must continue to work towards bi-partisan, pro-growth policies to get the private sector expanding again and people back to work.

 

I thought our debt surpassing $15 trillion would put our enormous challenges in focus and serve as a wakeup call for Congress. After only 10 months in office, I must admit I am frustrated by the same issues I was as a small business owner and father of two just less than a year ago in California.  This disappointment is why I ran for office, and I believe my commitment to put forward pro-growth policies is why I was elected.

 

Last week, I voted in support of an amendment that would have balanced our budget, the fundamental task of our government. The amendment would have forced Congress to balance its budget every year – as all California families and businesses are forced to do. Let's be honest, it's a fact of life- you cannot spend more than you earn.   This amendment failed and the Super Committee failed to achieve its goal; but in the coming weeks, I'm hopeful House Leadership will work to close the gap on these unresolved issues by evaluating bipartisan solutions like my bill, the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA).  I introduced the CPRA in March to literally shrink the size of our government and eliminate waste in order to save taxpayer dollars.  While I do not sit on the Super Committee and I am not the President of the United States, I will continue to put forward solutions that can help us achieve our nation's bipartisan goal: put people back to work and get our spending under control.

 

This holiday season, it is especially important to remember with gratitude and look forward with hope.  For all of you at home, enjoy the time with your family this Thanksgiving. I also encourage you keep in mind those who are fighting courageously overseas for our nation. These men and women are sacrificing their time with their families to protect all we are thankful for.

 

Many times the struggles of our service members are forgotten. This Thanksgiving, let's not let this be the case.  Thousands of troops will be returning home before the end of the year, and it is increasingly important that we honor our promise to our veterans and their families.  We must uphold our commitment to ensure a seamless transition to civilian life for all our veterans. This Thanksgiving, I'd like to thank all of our troops overseas for your sacrifice and commitment.

 

Next Tuesday, I will be hosting a tele-town hall to answer any questions you may have about my Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), recent events with the Super Committee and what this means for our economy and job creation. To be added to our VIP list for the call, click here, call my Modesto office, 209.579.548, or call my Fresno office, 559.449.2490.

 

I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Sincerely,

 

JEFF DENHAM

United States Representative

Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Thanksgiving Day

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

 

The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a celebration of the harvest that brought together the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation and the Native Americans who helped them adapt to their new environment. Over the years Thanksgiving became an American tradition and one of the first holidays we celebrated as a free and independent nation. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving observance in the newly formed United States of America, writing that “it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”

 

Thanksgiving has continued to be one of our most cherished observances, a day to join with family and friends and feast on traditional delicacies from roasted turkey to pumpkin pie, foods that commemorate the joining of the Old World and the New that brought about that First Thanksgiving long ago.

 

It is most fitting that we set aside a special day for gratitude. As Americans, we have every reason to give thanks for the wonderful bounty of our land, the strength of our fellow citizens and our system of government that protects our basic freedoms.

 

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim November 24, 2011, as Thanksgiving Day.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 18th day of November 2011.